...And to all a good flight

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year — a chance for families to reunite, a time to relax and a time to get back in touch with what’s really important to you.

It’s getting there that’s the hassle. If you survive the crowded malls and snarled traffic, the overheated credit cards and the unreasonable family expectations, there’s one last roadblock to overcome — the road to the airport, if you have the dubious pleasure of flying this Christmas.

The burden of Christmas travel can send the stress-meter right off the dial. So, take a deep breath and consider some things you can do to make the journey a little less of a burden.

Before you leave home

* If your airline allows it, check in online and print your ticket the night before. Then be sure to check your airline’s website to see if your flight is leaving on time. Also check the Calgary Airport website (calgaryairport.com). If you’re on a domestic flight, be prepared to get there at least two hours before; for an international destination, be there three hours or more early. And, yes that includes the United States.

* With some airlines operating fewer flights, there will be a bum in every seat. That leaves little chance of getting on another flight if you’ve missed yours.

* If you need to take a taxi to the airport, book it 24 hours in advance, and let the cab company know that you are going to the airport, suggests Kurt Enders, vice-president of the Checker transportation group. Enders stresses that to avoid a panic situation, give the driver double the time it would take you to drive there. “People push it. They never build in time for weather or (traffic) accidents,” he says.

In these situations, “We’re crippled just like every other driver.”

In the event your cab doesn’t show up, have a Plan B arranged.

* If your flight is cancelled once you get to the airport, there’s not a lot you can do. You’re at the mercy of the airline, which should help you make other arrangements. Two years ago, I encountered this situation due to a “mechanical problem,” and Air Canada was able to get me on another flight with its partner United Airlines.

You’ve made it to the airport

* Now to find a parking spot. As part of its Parking Made Easy program, The Calgary Airport opened Parkade 2 last week with 1,930 additional covered parking stalls, bringing the number of spaces to 7,500. YYC also announced reduced weekly parking fees of $99 for the week in the covered stalls and $49.95 in the uncovered economy lot. You can’t make a reservation for a parkade spot, but Jody Moseley, an airport spokesperson says, even with 30,000 passengers a day going through the airport during the holidays, the chances for getting a parking spot are good.

* Upon returning to Calgary airport, to expedite your exit, use the express pay lanes or there’s also the option of express pay booth in the airport. Both accept credit cards only, and in the case of the airport pay option, you’ll need to have your ticket with you and exit the lot within 15 minutes.

* There are several more parking options near the airport with 24-hour shuttle service to the airport: Park and Jet (parkandjetcalgary.com); Park ‘N Fly (parknfly.ca); Park 2 Go (park2go.ca). All offer discounts with an online booking or coupon from their websites.

* Picking up someone at the airport? Try the cellphone lot located just before you enter the arrivals area. You can park here for up to 40 minutes while waiting to hear from your arrival. It beats fighting the snarl in front of the terminals and being shooed away if your wait is longer than five minutes.

Getting through the airport

* There have been recent changes for going through U.S. customs to expedite the flow of passengers, says YYC’s Moseley. Travellers will not be admitted to enter U.S. customs until two hours before their flight. But you can still check in.

* If you’re lucky enough to be heading to a warm destination, where you won’t need your winter coat, the airport offers a coat check service so you don’t have to lug it with you.

* George Clooney’s character in the new movie Up in Air has this advice for an underling in training: “Avoid getting in line behind old people and couples with children; look for the Japanese guys, who travel light and wear slip-on shoes. (“I’m like my mother, I stereotype — it’s faster.”) He might also have included people who are carrying wrapped gifts, which is a no-no for going through security. Don’t wrap your gifts; there’s a good chance you may have to unwrap them. If that happens, you can make use of a wrapping station in the concourse. But Moseley stresses, this is not a chance for people to have their gifts wrapped at the airport; it’s mainly for people who want to re-wrap what might have been undone at security.

* If you’re ahead of schedule, take the time to do a little Christmas shopping or relax for a leisurely meal at one of the 125 shops and restaurants at YYC.

* Check the Canadian Transport Security Authority website (csta.gc.ca) for more tips.

In your airplane seat

* If you’ve flown economy class lately, you’ll know in there are few creature comforts. All the more reason to make yourself a comfort pack: I’ve seen some amazing airborne picnics in the past year. People have pulled full-on civilized meals, complete with homemade pizza, breakfast tortillas, cheese and fruit plates to give you a few ideas. Of course, you’ll have to get your drinks once you’re through security take the free beverage on the plane.

Other comfort kit nice-to-haves:

* Blanket and pillow; most airlines have done away with these nicetie.

* Noise cancelling headphones are a godsend against screaming babies and general plane noise.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.